After years of setbacks and an Environment Court refusal, the Abrahamson family refused to give up on their dream of creating a dairy farm for the next generation. Their determination led to the construction of a modern 54-bail rotary dairy near Darfield, complete with advanced irrigation, refrigeration, feeding, and effluent systems. This inspiring story follows Peter and Trish Abrahamson as they invest everything they have to establish a thriving dairy business for their sons, while showcasing the contractors and innovative technology that helped bring the project to life.

After generations of cropping and sheep farming, Rod and Adrienne May made one of the biggest decisions of their farming lives—converting their Canterbury property into a modern dairy farm. Backed by Central Plains Water, a purpose-built 54-bail rotary dairy and a trusted team of contractors, Avonlea Farm is now milking 650 cows with plans to expand. Their journey explores why reliable income, succession planning and water security are reshaping the future of farming in Mid Canterbury, proving that sometimes the biggest opportunities come from embracing change.

When Phil Empson decided to rethink what a dairy shed could be, he was not interested in simply building another rotary.

Driven by animal welfare, cow comfort and a desire to challenge traditional thinking, Richmond Downs Ltd in Orakau has become home to one of New Zealand’s most innovative dairy facilities — combining automation, first-to-market technology, smart lighting, advanced shelter systems and a world-class milking environment.

For the Rogers family, every great milking cow starts with exceptional calf rearing. Their purpose-built automated calf facility combines technology, outstanding stockmanship and practical design to rear hundreds of calves each autumn, delivering healthier young stock, faster growth rates and stronger future herd performance.

When Phil Empson decided to rethink what a dairy shed could be, he was not interested in simply building another rotary.

Driven by animal welfare, cow comfort and a desire to challenge traditional thinking, Richmond Downs Ltd in Orakau has become home to one of New Zealand’s most innovative dairy facilities — combining automation, first-to-market technology, smart lighting, advanced shelter systems and a world-class milking environment.

After years of milking 750 cows through two aging herringbone sheds, Ngaere Farms knew change was needed.

The third-generation Taranaki farming family chose to build a centralised 60-bail rotary dairy designed around labour efficiency, cow comfort and long-term sustainability. With custom decisions throughout the build — from effluent management to automation and operator comfort — the result is a dairy designed for the next generation.

After years of milking 750 cows through two aging herringbone sheds, Ngaere Farms knew change was needed.

The third-generation Taranaki farming family chose to build a centralised 60-bail rotary dairy designed around labour efficiency, cow comfort and long-term sustainability. With custom decisions throughout the build — from effluent management to automation and operator comfort — the result is a dairy designed for the next generation.

After years of milking 750 cows through two aging herringbone sheds, Ngaere Farms knew change was needed.

The third-generation Taranaki farming family chose to build a centralised 60-bail rotary dairy designed around labour efficiency, cow comfort and long-term sustainability. With custom decisions throughout the build — from effluent management to automation and operator comfort — the result is a dairy designed for the next generation.

After years of milking 750 cows through two aging herringbone sheds, Ngaere Farms knew change was needed.

The third-generation Taranaki farming family chose to build a centralised 60-bail rotary dairy designed around labour efficiency, cow comfort and long-term sustainability. With custom decisions throughout the build — from effluent management to automation and operator comfort — the result is a dairy designed for the next generation.

After years of milking 750 cows through two aging herringbone sheds, Ngaere Farms knew change was needed.

The third-generation Taranaki farming family chose to build a centralised 60-bail rotary dairy designed around labour efficiency, cow comfort and long-term sustainability. With custom decisions throughout the build — from effluent management to automation and operator comfort — the result is a dairy designed for the next generation.

After years of milking 750 cows through two aging herringbone sheds, Ngaere Farms knew change was needed.

The third-generation Taranaki farming family chose to build a centralised 60-bail rotary dairy designed around labour efficiency, cow comfort and long-term sustainability. With custom decisions throughout the build — from effluent management to automation and operator comfort — the result is a dairy designed for the next generation.

A new dairy build at Delta Farms Ltd proves that sometimes the smallest changes can deliver the biggest gains. By moving their rotary shed just 100m, the van Loon and Langford families have dramatically reduced lameness, improved cow flow and created a more efficient working environment for both cows and people.